How to Access Speech Services

How do I access Speech
services if I think that my son or daughter might be having difficulty
developing their communication skills?

Step 1

For Students who are NOT currently attending Poulsbo Elementary School.

If
your son/daughter is not attending their local public elementary school
because they are either too young, enrolled in a private school or
home-schooled, you may contact the school Speech Therapist directly. The
Therapist will then discuss with you your concerns and determine if
your son/daughter needs to come in for a screening. Many children
exhibit difficulties with communication that are normal for their age
and overall development.

Step 2

For Students who ARE currently attending Poulsbo Elementary School.

If
your son/daughter is already attending Poulsbo Elementary School, you
may contact the school Speech Therapist directly or the student's
classroom teacher to see if they have noticed any communication
difficulties. Any classroom teacher may refer a student to the school
Speech Therapist if they have noticed any significant communication
difficulties that are impacting the student's successful particpation in
the classroom curriculum. The Therapist will then contact you asking
for permission to screen your student.

Step 3

Obtaining Persmission to Assess

If,
after discussing your student's current difficulties with you, the
school Speech Therapist determines that your son/daughter is
demonstrating speech and/or language difficulties in the school setting
that are significant enought to warrant assessment, you would be asked
to give your written permission for a speech
and language assessment to be administered. Depending on the
communication needs the student has been demonstrating, she/he would
then be assessed in the areas of expressive and receptive language,
articulation, fluency and or hearing appropriate to the student's
identified needs. An assessment usually involves both formal (standardized assessment instruments) and informal (observation,
parent/teacher input, non-standardized instruments) assessment
procedures focused on your son/daughter's communication skills to
determine if any significant speech and or language difficulties are
present AND if these difficulties are impacting the student's successful
particpation in the classroom. Note: No speech or language assessment
can be administered without the parents written permission.

Step 4

Evaluation Report

After
a full speech and/or language assessment is completed, an intervention
team composed of the Speech Therapist, you the parent(s), the classroom
teacher and other relevant school staff members would then meet to
review the test results and determine if your son/daughter is eligible
for Speech services under current Washington State guidelines and is in
need of Specially Design Instruction in order to participate more
successfully in their classroom curriculum. An Evaluation Report stating
the eligibility of the student and containing further recommendations
based on the student's eligibility status would be reviewed and signed
by the team.

Step 5

Designing an Intervention Plan (IEP)

If
it is determined that your son/daughter is eligible for Speech services
and would benefit from intervention, a therapy plan called an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) would
then be designed by the intervention team. This plan would contain the
Specially Designed Instruction your student needs including: the goals your son/daughter would be working on, the amount of time he/she would spend each week in therapy, the location where the therapy services would be provided and who would
be providing these services. An IEP is usually valid for one calendar
year from the date it is written and approved and needs to be renewed
each school year.

Step 6

Starting Therapy and Progress Reports

If you approve and sign the therapy plan, a day and time for therapy would be arranged and therapy begun. Progress reports
would then be sent throughout the school year following the district
Report Card schedule to update you on your son/daughter's progress.

Poulsbo Elementary

The North Kitsap School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination can be directed to the district’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Compliance Officer and ADA Coordinator and/or the 504 Coordinator: Address - 18360 Caldart Ave NE, Poulsbo WA 98370 and Phone - (360) 396-3001.